Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate for your Car

Here are the details about the PUC Certificate:  

1. PUC Certificate Overview: The Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is a document issued by the government confirming that a vehicle's emissions are within permissible limits.  

1. Legal Requirement: As per the Central Motor Vehicles Act, every vehicle must have a valid PUC certificate at all times.  

1. Details on PUC Certificate: It includes the vehicle’s registration number, certificate serial number, emission test date, validity date, and emission level reading.  

1. PUC Certification Cost: Vehicle owners can obtain it by paying a nominal fee ranging from Rs.60 to Rs.100.  

Validity of PUC Certificate 

The details about the validity of PUC certificate: 

1. New Vehicles: For new cars and two-wheelers, the PUC certificate provided by the dealers is valid for one year from the registration date. 

1. Renewal Requirement: After one year, vehicle owners must renew the PUC certificate per government guidelines. 

1. Validity for Older Vehicles: Vehicles older than five years receive a PUC certificate valid for six months. 

1. Adverse Emission Readings: If emission levels exceed limits, the certificate's validity period depends on the recorded readings. 

How To Get a PUC Certificate Online? 

The steps to get a PUC certificate online are mentioned below: 

1. Visit the Parivahan Website and click on "Vehicle Related Services". 

1. Select "Other Services." 

1. Select PUC Certificate by choosing the state where your vehicle is registered. 

1. Enter vehicle details by entering the registration number, last five chassis characters, and mobile number. 

1. Generate OTP and enter the OTP received on your mobile. 

1. Click "Show Details." 

1. Choose a testing centre by selecting an RTO-approved centre from the drop-down list. 

1. Make payment using a credit/debit card. 

1. Give the vehicle emission test at the selected centre. 

1. Receive certificate, which will be issued immediately or sent via mail. 

How to get a PUC certificate offline? 

The steps to receive PUC certificate offline are mentioned below: 

1. Visit a Testing Centre: Go to an RTO-approved emission testing centre or a petrol bunk with testing facilities. 

1. Emission Test: A probe will be placed in your vehicle’s exhaust pipe to measure emission levels. 

1. Receive Certificate: You will get a printed PUC certificate immediately, if emissions are within permissible limits. 

Documents Required for Online PUC Application 

All you will need to apply for a PUC certificate online is your vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC) and your Aadhaar card for identity verification. Ensure that all the details across your documents match official records. 

Vehicle Emission Test for Issuing PUC Certificate

The following are the steps to issue PUC certificate after vehicle emission test: 

1. Visit the emission testing center along with your vehicle 
2. Position the vehicle as per instruction 
3. Device will be inserted in the exhaust pipe by the testing center operator 
4. Exhaust emission can be analysed by starting the vehicle 
5. The readings will be displayed on the computer screen 
6. PUC certificate will be generated by the operator by clicking picture of the registration plate 
7. Make the payment to obtain the certificate

How to Find Nearby Centers for a PUC Certificate?

Follow these steps given below to locate the nearest PUC certificate centres: 

Step 1: Visit the official VAHAN website: https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in 

Step 2: Click on the "PUC Centre List" option. 

Step 3: Select your state and the nearest RTO office from the drop-down menus. 

Step 4: A list of authorized PUC centers will appear, along with their addresses and contact details. 

Penalty for Not Obtaining PUC Certificate 

Vehicles aught without PUC certificate will have to pay penalty and here are more details about it: 

1. PUC Certificate Requirement: As per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, every vehicle owner in India must have a valid PUC certificate along with motor insurance, registration certificate, driving license, and tax token. 

1. Penalty for Non-Compliance: Under Section 190(2) of the MV Act, individuals not having a PUC certificate will have to pay a penalty of Rs.1,000 fine if they are caught without PUC certificate for the first time. 

1. Repeat Offences: Subsequent violations attract a Rs.2,000 fine each time. 

How to Renew PUC Certificate for Vehicles? 

The details about the PUC certificate renewal for vehicles are mentioned below: 

1. Purpose: A PUC certificate ensures that your vehicle emissions are within permissible limits. 

1. Visit an Emission Testing Center: Take your vehicle to the nearest authorized emission testing center along with your Registration Certificate (RC) and previous PUC certificate. 

1. Emission Testing: The operator will check the pollutant levels using a gas analyzer.

1. Wait for the Test Results: The system will generate readings for Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, and Smoke Density. These readings are compared to the prescribed limits based on vehicle type, fuel type, and age. 

1. Results: If your vehicle emissions are within the prescribed limits, then the PUC certificate will be generated immediately.  

1. Pay the Fees: One the procedure is completed; you will have to pay the fee for a PUC certificate.

PUC Test Procedure:

In the case of diesel vehicles, the accelerator is fully pressed and the readings of pollution levels are observed. This is repeated five times and the average constitutes the final reading. For petrol vehicles, the car is kept idling without pressing the accelerator. Only one reading is taken and this constitutes the final reading.

Pollution Certificate Permissible Limits 

The details about the permissible limits for obtaining PUC Certificate are mentioned in the table below: 

For New Cars 

For New Bikes  

PUC for Old Vehicles:

In India, it is mandatory for all the vehicles to have a PUC certificate, irrespective of their age. The PUC certificate is valid for a period of six months after the vehicle’s first year. 

The permissible emission limits for cars older than a year, are as given below: 

The permissible emission limits for bikes older than a year are as given below: 

Importance of PUC Certificate:

The PUC certificate is important for all vehicle owners and the reasons behind it are mentioned below: 

1. Mandatory Certification: A PUC certificate is required to ensure vehicle emissions are within permissible limits, reducing air pollution caused by carbon dioxide emissions. 

1. Fines and Penalties: The PUC certificate is mandatory for legal requirements for vehicles owners and will incur a penalty amount in case the owner is caught without the PUC certificate. 

1. First-time offenders face a fine of Rs.1,000, increasing to Rs.2,000 for repeated violations. 

1. In states like Delhi, fines can reach Rs.10,000, along with possible imprisonment for up to six months. 

1. Vehicle owners may also face a three-month driving license suspension. 

1. Environmental Responsibility: Helps in reducing air pollution and ensures minimal contribution to carbon emissions. 

1. Vehicle Maintenance: Regular renewal (every six months) helps in monitoring vehicle condition and reducing pollutant emissions. 

1. Insurance Renewal Requirement: If the owner has a valid PUC certificate vehicle insurance policy can only be renewed, as per IRDAI guidelines (July 2018). 

What are the Details Mentioned in a PUC Certificate? 

The details given in a PUC certificate are mentioned below: 

1. Certificate Number: A unique identification number assigned to the certificate. 

1. Vehicle Registration Number: The official registration number of the vehicle. 

1. Date of Test: The date on which the emission test was performed. 

1. Test Reading: Recorded pollutant levels (CO, HC, CO2, O2) based on vehicle type and regulations. 

1. Emission Norms: Standards the vehicle adheres to (e.g., BS4, BS6). 

1. Validity: The duration for which the certificate remains valid (typically 6 months to 1 year). 

1. Issuing Authority: Details of the authorized center that conducted the test. 

1. Vehicle Information: Includes make, model, fuel type (petrol, diesel, CNG), and engine type. 

Rules for PUC Certification: 

Here are the details regarding the PUC certification rules: 

1. Standardized PUCC Form: As per G.S.R. 410(E) dated 14 June 2021, the Ministry has introduced a uniform PUCC format applicable nationwide under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. 

1. PUC Data Linkage: G.S.R. 527(E) dated 6 June 2018 mandates linking PUC data with the VAHAN database. 

1. PUC Certificate Requirement: Rule 115(7) of CMVR, 1989 states that vehicles must have a valid "Pollution Under Control" certificate after one year from the date of first registration. 

1. Certificate Validity: The PUC certificate is valid for six months, while vehicles meeting BS-IV or BS-VI norms have a validity of twelve months. 

1. PUC Certificate Regulations: Vehicle owners must carry a valid PUC certificate and present it upon request by authorized officers. 

Advisory for State Governments 

1. PUC Centre Mandate: Each fuel station must have a PUC testing centre. 

1. Machine Calibration: Regular calibration of PUC machines must be done by authorized third-party agencies. 

1. Random Inspections: Transport Departments must conduct random checks and enforce PUC compliance. 

1. Pre-Payment of Fees: PUC fee payment must be made before conducting the test. 

1. Mobile Test Centres: Well-equipped mobile testing units should be introduced for monitoring visibly polluting vehicles. 

1. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Strict penalties, including cancellation of authorization, should be enforced for PUC centres engaged in malpractice. 

1. Implementation Responsibility: The enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and CMVR, 1989, falls under the jurisdiction of State and Union Territory Governments. 

What Happens if the PUC Certificate is Expired? 

Here are the important points that should be remembered if the PUC certificate is expired: 

1. Legal Requirement: Carrying a valid PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate is mandatory, as per Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, similar to a motor insurance policy. 

1. Penalties for Non-Compliance: If found without a valid PUC certificate or carrying an expired one, traffic authorities have the right to impose fines and even seize the vehicle. 

1. PUC Renewal and Rejection: During renewal, if a vehicle's emissions exceed permissible levels, the testing center may issue a rejection slip, thereby restricting its use. 

Contact Details 

For any technical queries related to PUC certificate, you can reach out through the following ways: 

Email: helpdesk-vahan@nic.in 

Phone number: +91-120-4925505 

Note that you can contact the PUCC helpdesk from 6.00 a.m. to 10 p.m.